Myanmar

It’s interesting to enter a country totally green. I had no idea what to expect. Some friends who lived here years ago told stories, but they were more like behind-the-curtain stories.  The country is considered closed, at least in terms of relations with the West.  Despite improving/normalizing relations with the US and EU, it is still under sanctions and a wary eye from much of the international community.

It is, however, becoming the diplomatic destination of choice, according to staff.  Since Hillary Clinton’s visit in November, there have been a string of other representatives from Australia, Europe, Japan… Sen. Mitch McConnell was in the capital during the same week, with Sen. John McCain expected to come on a repeat visit.  Not to mention a run for the border made by Scott & Jennifer Steele!

With the flurry of news over the past weeks, including the upgraded status of the American embassy, the Financial Times raised the question of whether banks are ready to enter the fray.

http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2012/01/13/myanmar-banking-for-the-brave/#axzz1jjhX9FUD

This holds particular interest, given the microfinance work and the possibility of foreign investment in the sector.

First impressions began before arrival.  The flight from Bangkok, on an Airbus 330 seating around 230 people, was packed.  And not only the standard diplomatic/UN/development folks, but also tourists.  Lots of tourists, from the West and other parts of Asia.  This was a surprise, since I thought this place was a no-go for most folks.

The city was far more developed than I expected.  We’ve lived and traveled in some remote, rough and rocky places – from a certain point of view.  Before going, I had in mind Kiev circa 1993 or Maputo 2001.  But no. Good roads and modern airport; nice hotels and restaurants.

I was most surprised by the number of churches, and not museums either.  I imagine this is part of the colonial legacy, with only around 5% of the population counted as professing Christians. There was a variety of denominations: Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Catholic.  Interesting.  It was encouraging to speak with staff who are believers and hear them share about the fellowship they enjoy.

At the same time, the country is one of the poorest in Asia and that can be observed in parts of the city, and even the capital is doubtful to be representative of the rest of the country.  We know this from our time in eastern Europe, Africa and elsewhere.  Movement of foreigners is restricted so I was unable to go outside of Yangon.  However now I’m keen to find some excuse to return and venture further inland.

 

 

phoning home

Big shout-out to Molly, who sent a text from Nairobi to let me know that the airport taxi in LA was waiting for me. It reminds me of the time John Lindsay called me in Maputo from D.C. and I helped with directions out of the city.

The CEO

For those who are interested in what I do – amidst the conspiracy theories – below is a link to a video about the work of VisionFund, the microfinance arm of World Vision.

Travel

I just returned from a quick visit to Zambia. Counting that trip, I will be in five (5) different countries over the next month. In fact, during the month of January, I will spend a total of six nights at home, equaling the six I will have on a plane. This is definitely the most intensive month I’ve seen yet in this role, and we are all trying to adapt to the routine.

After a couple of days in Kenya, tonight I’m off to Myanmar (Burma), via Thailand. World Vision runs a microfinance operation there, and the country is both opening up to foreign investment and introducing new regulations on microfinance. I’m joining a team to conduct a due diligence on the institution and evaluate the potential for more investment.

With all of the to-and-fro, this holds a good deal of interest. The country has been popping up more in the news recently: Hillary Clinton visited last month; Augn San Suu Kyi will run for parliament in a few months; the government signed a peace agreement with a rebel group after years of insurgency; the generals have opened up parts of the local market. And in the last day the US government has announced its intention to reestablish diplomatic ties.

Plus, it’s just one of those places… Burma. Exotic. Remote. Lack of access. Military junta. Some friends in Mozambique had lived there and shared lots of stories.

Following Burma, I get a day – but not a night – back in Nairobi, when Phillip’s Cub Scout Pack will trek through Hell’s Gate national park, an area with historic volcanic activity and other geothermal features. Very cool.

Then I’m off to L.A. for meetings at the World Vision home office. I will pass through North Carolina on the return, so would love to see folks for the few days I’m in Winston-Salem. (Two basketball games while I’m there: UNC hosts Ga. Tech and Wake hosts UNC. Does anyone have a lead on tickets?)

Once I return from the States, I get one night with the family and then go to Uganda for a day to participate in an audit conference. (Audit – woo hoo!) After which I stay on the ground and close to home for a couple of weeks. I think. For the time being.

Meanwhile, Phillip is back at school and Molly has been volunteering and substituting there. Our small group Bible study picks up again tomorrow, continuing in Judges. We’ve enjoyed getting to know these folks, whom we’ve met through school and church.

Molly is also starting the process for getting a local medical license, so that should could practice here.

Prayer requests:
- Wesley, safety in travel
- Molly, licensure process
- Phillip, new friendships

Guardener

There are a couple of individuals working for us around the house – a woman who helps with cleaning and cooking, and a man who serves as a gardener and guard. (the combination therefore a guardener)

His name is Dominic. When I returned from a trip earlier this month, Molly mentioned how our American neighbors had asked him to play Santa for a party they were hosting. It took me a few minutes to shake my head clear to try and understand what she was talking about. (Who asked who to do what? Uncle Leo?)

It turned out the event was catered for Kenyan colleagues of theirs and they wanted to have someone the guests did not know to surprise them and their kids. They supplied the Santa suit, Dominic made stuffing to create a belly and he also found a cow bell. (I don’t know where or why, but… there it was.)

It produced the desired effect and we had a fun afternoon, most especially to see him in costume.

Sadly, 2 days later on Christmas Eve Dominic’s mother fell quite ill. He had taken the week off from work and had traveled up country to visit family. Only hours after completing an overnight bus trip, he took another one back to Nairobi to be with his mom.

We only learned of this yesterday morning, when he called to ask if we could take them both to a mission clinic just outside of town. So we met him at the home and dropped them at the hospital. She was admitted, suffering from what appears to be congestive heart failure. She has stabilized but will stay another few days.

This is particularly hard on Dominic; he came by the house late yesterday to share some stories of his Mama and how she raised him and his sisters.

We’re not sure how to help. It can be a bit complicated, due to cultural issues, the staff relationship… Kenya is still quite new to us, so we are still navigating the various practices/expectations/norms, not to mention any actual rules.

So we pray, and ask you to pray. Wisdom for us. Blessings on Dominic, healing and comfort for his Mama, Marie.

Dogs

Some of you are aware of the fact that we got a dog.  She is a Rhodesian Ridgeback (photo below) we call Padme.  She has been a fun addition to the household, though already showing herself to be quite stubborn. And strong.  She reached 40lbs in about 4 months.

The other dog diversion is what I refer to as the corgi-dor combo. Not far from our house live two dogs – a corgi and a Labrador retriever – and we see them every day on the way to and from school.  We keep wondering what they eat, because despite how much they walk they are quite overweight.

And one of the reasons this daily appearance is encouraging is because it’s a reminder (for Wesley) of my Mom & Dad.  Their last dog was a corgi, and watching the short-legged creature waddle along the side of the road, along with the friendly lab, makes me smile.

The other photo below shows Phillip amidst a pack of Labradors. A couple of months ago we attended a dog show put on by the local kennel club, and he was able to try out as a Junior Handler.  Thankfully, for this kind of introduction they had all of these labs who were well trained and knew their way around the ring.  It was a blast, especially since we are fans of the breed and have fond memories of our black lab, Alex, not to mention my sister’s dog Mattie.

Otherwise, Thanksgiving came and went, and we are thankful to have celebrated with both old and new friends.  A family we knew in Kinshasa was visiting Nairobi and joined us, while a colleague hosted everyone at their home. We’re expecting to feast and fellowship with the same crew next week for Christmas.

We have also started a small group Bible study, reading the book of Judges.  I don’t remember ever really digging into this text.  Fascinating. We’ll try to remember and share as the study progresses.

Congo

Recently we’ve been remembering and praying for the Congo, our former home. Today was the 2nd national election since the war ended in 2003. A number of friends left Kinshasa in the run up to the elections, as the situation became unstable. There has been violence, but so far those reports have been limited. In other words, it’s still too early to tell. At the end of the last elections the capital hosted a ‘weekend war’, during which there were open battles in the city.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15910554

Please join us in praying for the people and the church in the Congo.